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Color Options from American Patchwork & Quilting®October 2009

We know you love the projects that appear in American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. We took inspiration from projects in the magazine and created Web-exclusive versions, complete with full instructions.

Jennifer Keltner’s version of Log Cabin Stars

Though there is high contrast between blocks in executive editor Jennifer Keltner’s quilt, it’s the subtle color variation within each block that provides interest. “You can differentiate the pieces because the prints I used have a variety of scale,” Jennifer says. Fabrics are from the Authentic collection by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics.

Lisa Schumacher’s version of Ahead of the Curve

Interactive editor Lisa Schumacher followed quilt tester Laura Boehnke’s lead and focused on the pattern’s circular design. Lisa pieced each of her blocks with a pair of fabrics from Alice Kennedy’s Apple collection for Timeless Treasures.

Everything’s Blooming Color Option

Kid’s Quilted Play Mat

Keep the quilt’s intended use in mind when planning fabric placement. This children’s quilt is expected to be used as a play mat, so the border panels from Melissa Saylor’s Fun on the Farm collection for Wilmington Prints face out on all sides.

Mary Irish's version of Everything's Blooming

Administrative assistant Mary Irish made a quick-to-piece throw (for herself!) using just the center portion of Everything’s Blooming and the Bluebird Dishes and Watermark collections from Fine Lines Fabric.

Wildest Dreams Color Option

Batik Triangle Stars

The same pattern is used to create the four blocks in this wall hanging. Careful fabric placement creates the illusion that the blocks are different. Using Tonga Batiks from Timeless Treasures’ Fire and Ice collections resulted in a graphic quilt.

Stepping Stones

The interplay of lights and darks gives this wall hanging a three-dimensional feel. Don’t worry about binding outside and inside corners—there’s no need! The quilt top is stitched to the backing with right sides together before it’s quilted.

Stepping Stones Color Option

Log Cabin Table Topper

The colors in these Log Cabin blocks are similar in value, but each round is clearly visible because the colors are opposites on the color wheel. The festive four-block table topper features the Holiday Splendor collection by Yolanda Fundora for Blank Quilting.

Nancy Wiles’ version of Stepping Stones

“I love graphic prints based on nature,” design director Nancy Wiles says. While she was excited about the Arcadia collection by Sanae for Moda Fabrics (modafabrics.com), she was unsure how the prints would look cut into this quilt’s small pieces. She utilized tone-on-tones for the smallest areas and was pleased with the result.

Sew Your Seeds Color Option

Folk Art Needle Case

Cotton prints mixed with wools, delicate beads, and a careful choice of threads give a needle case a vintage flair. Stitch around the appliqués with contrasting thread and the flowers may appear whimsical; matching thread may yield a more romantic, traditional look. Cotton fabrics are from the Sachet Potpourri line by Faye Burgos for Marcus Fabrics.

Elizabeth Stumbo’s version of Sew Your Seeds

For a project that’s even quicker than fusible appliqué, senior graphic designer Elizabeth Stumbo cut the patterns from scrapbooking paper and adhered them to cardstock with brads and eyelets. She finished the piece with a frame made to hold 4x6" photographs.

Scattered Leaves

Add Log Cabin-like borders to adjoining edges of Maple Leaf units for pieced blocks that can be twisted and turned into a mazelike quilt. A scrappy assortment of dark and medium prints produces a cozy, seasonal throw.

Woven Wonder Color Option

Radiant Squares Wall Hanging

It’s not always apparent how medium- or large-scale prints will look when cut up. View each black-and-white print of the Sketchbook collection from P&B Textiles through a 2-1/2"-square window template to see how dark or light “gray” it appears.

Jill Abeloe Mead’s version

A subtler shift in color and value appears in editor Jill Abeloe Mead’s version made from a variety of printed and woven stripes. “The deep orange and yellow remind me of sunsets back home in Northern California,” Jill says.